Traditional

Mum and Grandma and I went to church this morning. It was advertised as a 'traditional' service and so mum was on high alert to my every sound. From the moment we sat down, she popped a museli bar in my mouth. Normally food does keep me quiet, but this morning I was in a chatty mood and wasn't going to let a mouthful get in my way. So before the sermon had even begun we left Grandma and retreated to the babies' room. There were three other mum's in there already and three girls, all my size. The other mum's were all friendly but my mum was a bit worried by a sign she saw on the wall saying that if your baby puts any toys in their mouths, they must be wiped down with antiseptic wipes. At my playgroup we babies chew on toys with abandon. So mum stayed close to make sure I toed the line. The one time she dropped her guard, I picked up a rubber duck and gave it a big smooch on its beak. But we don't think anyone saw it.

'No'

I have learned to say 'no'.

I have long been able to indicate the sentiment by way of a big whinge or a turn of my head or a flap of my arms. But today I pointed my finger, shook my fist and shouted 'No! No! No!'

It was all over Poppy, my new puppy friend. I like her but she sometimes barks a bit too loudly and gives me a fright and tries to lick the bits of food left stuck to my shirt and pants. So I tell her who's boss!

Well, from a safe distance. Mum and grandma think it's quite funny that I only shout at Poppy when she's away from me, and never when she's up close. I'm not quite that brave.

Later that day, back at our apartment, I met mum's good friends Andrea and Kate. They'd never met me before and mum was hoping I'd be on my very best behaviour. I wasn't. I was tired and a bit whingy. But they still told me I was very cute.

In the sky

I had my first plane trip today!

Mum was nervous but I was full of beans. As soon as we arrived in the departure lounge, I spied a friendly older couple and crawled over to say hello. I took my chirpiness onto the plane with me and gave a big hello, with a wave, to the people sitting behind us. But then it was time to get strapped in. A nice lady in the departure lounge had given us a lollypop for me to suck on while the plane was taking off, so that I wouldn't get sore ears. Well no one told me how to eat a lollypop so I just did what came naturally. I bit down so hard my arms went shaky and when I came up for air, there was a big chunk of lollypop missing! Mum and Grandma thought it was very funny that I had finished the whole lollypop before we'd even taken off.

When we arrived in Canberra, I met my new cousin Oliver. He is very small. I gave him a quick inspection, but then moved onto something more interesting – Uncle David and Aunty Lisa's dog Poppy. She is a friendly dog but she barks when she gets excited and it always gives me a fright and I sometimes cry.

Meeting chicks

I met a chicken today!

A baby chicken.

I have tasted chicken before and, like most kinds of meat, I don't like it very much. But this was the first time I met a real live one.

We were staying with Aunty Pam and Uncle Tom in Brisbane so we could get an early start for our big plane trip the next day. And after dinner mum's cousin Joel brought in a tiny baby chicken for me to meet. Mum stayed close by to make sure I didn't get too friendly, but I just poked out my finger and gave it a very gentle touch on its tummy. Because the chickens are just babies they spend the night in a little cage near the kitchen. So I crawled over to visit a few times while all the grown-ups were having coffee. But the main reason I was in the kitchen was because I had found a cool toy car to play with and I spend the whole night before bedtime driving it up and down the kitchen floor.

Sports bottle

I found mum's sports drink bottle in the car.

I figured out how to get the water out.

And now I prefer it to my sippy cup.

In fact, when I finished the water ni the sports bottle mum handed me my sippy cup. I whinged. So mum tipped out the water from the sippy cup into the sports bottle, handed it to me, and I happily drank it.

Tough as nails

I had my MMR shot today.

I didn't cry.

I also skinned my knee when mum and I were putting washing on the line.

I didn't cry.

But I am sporting my first band-aid.

Blocks

We unpacked my building blocks today and dad built some structures which I waddled over to and knocked over.

Dad thinks I enjoyed the knocking over a bit too much!

After a few minutes of knocking stuff over I decided to build a tower myself and carefully put a long block on top of another long block. Mum and dad gave me a big clap. I decided to put another block on top, and then gave myself a clap!